Coating and method for strengthening a structure

Abstract

Composite coating ( 10 ) improves the resistance to blast or seismic forces of a structure ( 100 ), such as wall ( 101 ). Coating ( 10 ) includes a first layer ( 20 ) of elastomeric polyurethane in contact with and adhering to wall ( 101 ), a second layer ( 30 ) of elastomeric polyurethane in contact with and adhering to first layer ( 20 ), and a layer of textile ( 40 ) embedded between first layer ( 20 ) and second layer ( 30 ).

I claim:  
     
       1. In combination: a structure that includes a wall having a surface; and a composite coating adhering to said surface of said wall for increasing the resistance to explosion forces of said structure; comprising: 
       a first layer comprising an elastomer in intimate contact with and adhering permanently to said surface of said wall;  
       a second layer comprising an elastomer in intimate contact with and adhering permanently to said first layer; and  
       textile embedded between said first and second layers, wherein said elastomer is the product of a fluid precursor that cures in ambient conditions to form said elastomer, and wherein said composite coating functions to increase the apparent ductility and elongation of the wall when sudden lateral or explosive force is applied to the structure, wherein said fluid precursor is a two-component formulation the reacts upon mixing to become an elastomer.  
     
     
       2. The combination of  claim 1 , wherein said fluid precursor is a two-component formulation that reacts upon mixing to become polyurethane elastomer. 
     
     
       3. The combination of  claim 2 , wherein said two-component formulation is applied to said surface by spraying. 
     
     
       4. The combination of  claim 1 , said textile comprising a fabric including yarns of glass, carbon, polyaramid, or polyimide. 
     
     
       5. The combination of  claim 4 , wherein said yarns are woven with adjacent parallel yarns spaced apart one-sixteenth of an inch to one inch so as to create openings in said textile penetrable by said fluid precursor. 
     
     
       6. The combination of  claim 1 , said second layer further including means for rendering said coating fire-resistant. 
     
     
       7. The combination of  claim 1  wherein: said composite coating covers substantially the entire said surface of said wall. 
     
     
       8. The combination of  claim 1  wherein: said composite coating covers a portion of each of two said walls and an interior angle connecting said two walls, and further including: 
       a coving installed in the vertex of the interior angle, for supporting said composite coating in forming a curve having a radius of 0.4 inch or greater.